Mouth breathing: what harm can it cause in children & adults?

Some people (adults and children) do not breathe through the nose, as they should, but through the mouth. In adults, this phenomenon usually does not appear suddenly but has most likely existed since childhood.

We all know what it is like to suffer from a “blockage” due to a cold or some allergy that prevents us from breathing through the nose. However, this way of breathing is a permanent condition for a portion of people.

The causes for such a breathing condition may be the well-known “adenoids”, swollen or hypertrophied tonsils, chronic allergies, sinusitis or any other damage to the respiratory system.

The effects of constant mouth breathing are not negligible. First of all, the heart and blood vessels are not properly oxygenated as they need the nitric oxide that is produced only by inhalation through the nose. This alone results in the periodic feeling of fatigue and lack of concentration of the individual. Especially in children, the effects are visible in their school performance, which is usually poor.

Dr. Yosh Jefferson points out in his report in the Journal General Dentistry yet another effect of mouth breathing. He argues that such a permanent condition can gradually change the shape of the face, the so-called long face syndrome. Especially in individuals (mainly children) with swollen tonsils, an unconscious shift of the lower jaw to an unusual position is observed, in order for the body to be able to receive more oxygen.

How is it treated?

Mouth breathing can be corrected immediately if the required actions are taken early, that is, as soon as the phenomenon is noticed, and this usually happens in childhood. The actions that need to be taken may include either removal of tonsils or adenoids, or orthodontic work to enlarge the jaw and open the sinuses. Before any action, an examination by specialists should be done to find the exact cause of permanent mouth breathing.